Effect of a short period of fluoride ingestion on dental fluorosis in cattle
Suttie, J.W.; Faltin, E.C.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 32(2): 217-222
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 5101849 Document Number: 40811
The effects of the ingestion of 2.p. 5 mg of fluoride per kg of body weight daily by heifers during their 13th to 15th or 16th to 18th months of age were studied. This short-term exposure was sufficient to cause severe dental fluorosis in at least one pair of incisors, especially in the 2nd group of heifers, even though the total fluoride intake was not excessive. The plasma fluoride conc, rapidly increased to 0.5 p.p.m. in both groups of heifers and decreased rapidly after fluoride was removed from the ration. Evidence of dental fluorosis was seen when crown formation was completed before exposure to fluoride and also when the fluoride exposure preceded any calcification of the crown. The most severe effects were seen when the exposure coincided with the initiation of crown formation for a particular incisor. Fluoride analysis of consecutive chronological sections of the avascular enamel indicated that there was a regular pattern of enamel apposition from the top to the bottom of the crown of one incisor before the top of the crown of the next incisor calcified.